Longitudinal bag filling and packaging machine

Abstract

To prevent meandering travel by compensating for a difference in a length of both sides in a width direction of a packaging material due to use of a hard-to-stretch packaging material and a path of a portion corresponding to both sides in the width direction of a former packaging material, and improve bag productivity while ensuring quality.SOLUTION: In a vertical bag-making filling and packaging machine 1, a former 4 has a tubular part 32, a pair of side guide parts 34, a back guide part 36, and a first base part 38, and a wrap portion L is formed by overlapping both side edges of a packaging material W. The vertical bag-making filling and packaging machine comprises: a pair of backing guide members 40 that guides both side edges of the packaging material W to form the wrap portion L at a position facing each peripheral side edge 32a of the tubular part 32; and a guide position adjustment mechanism 42 that is provided on a first table 22 and raises and lowers each backing guide member 40, independently adjusts a vertical position of each backing guide member 40, slides each backing guide member 40 in a horizontal direction independently of a vertical position adjustment, to adjust a separation distance D of each back tension guide member 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine, and more particularly to a vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine that produces bags using packaging material that is difficult to stretch. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a form-fill-seal machine that intermittently pays out a strip of film converged into a cylindrical shape by a former along the outer periphery of a forming tube (bag-making tube) to form a tubular bag, and automatically fills and packages the packaged item (filler) into this bag. The forming tube and the former are each formed from split halves obtained by splitting a hollow cylinder in two in the longitudinal direction, and the split halves of the forming tube and the former are configured to be movable toward and away from each other, making it possible to change the formed dimensions of the strip of film.

[0003] A pair of back support guide members are provided adjacent to the gaps between the divided halves of the former, and they feed the strip film while overlapping both edge portions of the film. The pair of back support guide members are designed so that the spacing between the two back support guide members can be adjusted in accordance with the adjustment of the spacing between the divided halves of the former (see Figure 2 of the publication). Also disclosed is a configuration in which the spacing between the back support guide members does not need to be adjusted in accordance with the adjustment of the spacing between the divided halves of the former, i.e., the spacing between the back support guide members is kept constant even when the spacing between the divided halves of the former is adjusted (see Figure 7 of the publication).

[0004] The packaging machine described in Patent Document 1 solves the problem that, when it is desired to increase the filling amount of a filler in a bag, the width dimension of the bag must be increased, but to do so, the bag-forming tube must be replaced with one with a larger outer diameter.By making it possible to adjust the spacing between the divided halves of the bag-forming tube and former, the labor required to replace the bag-forming tube is eliminated, reducing the capital investment required to constantly have bag-forming tubes with different outer diameters on hand, and offering the advantages of being able to quickly respond to diverse user needs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2-20489 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In recent years, with the growing momentum for environmental awareness and resource conservation on a global scale, such as through the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), and the global social issue of marine pollution caused by discarded plastic, attention has been focused on packaging that reduces the environmental impact. As most conventional packaging materials are sheet-like films made primarily from petroleum-derived plastic, attempts are being made to reduce the amount of plastic used by switching to paper packaging made primarily from paper.

[0007] Film packaging materials made from plastic materials are thin and flexible, while paper packaging materials are sheets of entangled fibers such as wood pulp, and are more difficult to stretch than film packaging materials. Due to errors in length and thickness during manufacturing, distortion due to storage conditions, the shape of the former, etc., the length of the packaging material and the path of the parts of the former corresponding to both sides of the packaging material in the width direction can differ on both sides of the packaging material.

[0008] When running along the former and bag-making tube, the film packaging material stretches to follow the former, etc., eliminating the difference between the length of the packaging material on both sides of the width direction and the path of the parts of the former that correspond to both sides of the packaging material, and it is possible to run along the former and bag-making tube. However, because low-stretch packaging material is difficult to stretch, the difference between the length of the packaging material on both sides of the width direction and the path of the parts of the former that correspond to both sides of the packaging material cannot be eliminated, and it may lift up from the former, etc., and run in a meandering manner. Serpentine running of packaging material leads to poor quality bags produced and frequent error stoppages in the packaging machine, reducing bag productivity.

[0009] Meanwhile, the packaging material traveling along the former surrounds the outer periphery of the bag-making tube, forming a tubular packaging material, and a lap portion is formed where both side edges of the packaging material overlap each other at positions facing each peripheral edge of the tubular portion. The spine guide members described above guide both side edges of the packaging material to form this lap portion. To properly form the lap portion, it is necessary to adjust the distance between the spine guide members. Furthermore, experiments by the inventors have shown that adjusting the overlap position of both side edges of the packaging material can effectively prevent the packaging material from meandering.

[0010] However, the packaging machine described in Patent Document 1 can only adjust the distance between the back support guide members in conjunction with adjusting the distance between the bag-making tube and each of the divided halves of the former. Furthermore, adjusting the distance between the back support guide members also adjusts the distance between the bag-making tube and each of the divided halves of the former. Therefore, it is difficult to compensate for the difference in the length of the packaging material on both sides of the packaging material's width and the path of the portions of the former corresponding to both sides of the packaging material.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide a vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine that can prevent serpentine travel by compensating for the difference in length on both sides of the width of the packaging material, which occurs when a difficult-to-stretch packaging material is used, and the differences in the paths of the portions of the former that correspond to both sides of the packaging material, thereby improving bag productivity while ensuring bag quality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of a vertical form fill seal packaging machine forms a difficult-to-stretch packaging material guided along a former into a tubular packaging material on the outer surface of a bag forming tube, forms vertical seals along the longitudinal direction of the tubular packaging material as the tubular packaging material is fed in the longitudinal direction of the bag forming tube, and forms horizontal seals at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the tubular packaging material below the bag forming tube, while alternately forming horizontal seals and filling the tubular packaging material with a filling material, thereby producing bags filled with a filling material.The vertical form fill seal packaging machine includes a first table that supports a former, and the former has a tubular portion having a pair of peripheral side edges that face each other in the circumferential direction, a pair of side guides that are formed by folding back each peripheral side edge of the tubular portion radially outward from the tubular portion, and The device has a back guide portion formed by connecting the upper portions of each in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion, and a first base portion formed at the lower end of the tubular portion, extending in the circumferential direction, and connected to the first table, and the packaging material runs along the back guide portion and each side guide portion, passes through gaps at each peripheral edge of the tubular portion, and is then formed into a tubular packaging material by surrounding the outer surface of the bag-making tube, and at the same time, lap portions are formed by overlapping both side edges of the packaging material at opposing positions of each peripheral edge of the tubular portion, and a pair of back support guide members that guide both side edges of the packaging material to form the lap portions at positions opposing each peripheral edge of the tubular portion, and a control unit that is provided on the first table and that raises and lowers each back support guide member to independently adjust the vertical position of each back support guide member, and that can also move each back support guide member horizontally independent of the vertical position adjustment. Each individually The back support guide members are slid to adjust the distance between them. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] This prevents the packaging material from floating up from the former, which can occur when using a difficult-to-stretch packaging material, and prevents meandering, thereby improving bag productivity while ensuring bag quality. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2]FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bag-making tube and a former. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of each back support guide member and guide position adjustment mechanism. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view of the bag-making tube and former with packaging material set therein. [Figure 7] 10 is a front view of the bag-making tube and former after adjustment by the guide position adjustment mechanism. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] 5 is a perspective view of a first base portion of a cylindrical portion of a former as viewed from the rear side of FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the former inclination adjustment mechanism as seen from the front. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a clamp and a second table. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the tube inclination adjustment mechanism as viewed from the front. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine 1 according to an embodiment. This vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine (hereinafter simply referred to as packaging machine) 1 is equipped with a bag-forming tube 2, which extends vertically. A hopper (not shown) is connected to the upper end of the bag-forming tube 2, and the bag-forming tube 2 receives a supply of filling material such as powder or granular material through the hopper. In addition, a filling supply device (not shown) is disposed above the packaging machine 1, and the filling supply device supplies a predetermined amount of filling material into the bag-forming tube 2 via the hopper.

[0016] A former 4 is attached above the bag-forming tube 2 and below the hopper, and a packaging material payout path extends from the former 4 to the packaging material reel 6. Packaging material W is paid out from the packaging material reel 6 via a number of rollers 8. The packaging material W is a difficult-to-stretch packaging material, such as a paper packaging material made by laminating and bonding a sheet-like paper material used for the exterior of the bag P and a sheet-like heat-sealing material used for the interior of the bag. The packaging material W paid out from the packaging material reel 6 is guided along the packaging material payout path and led to the outer periphery of the bag-forming tube 2 along the former 4.

[0017] The packaging material W guided along the former 4 is formed into a tubular shape that surrounds the outer surface 2a of the bag-forming tube 2, and this tubular packaging material Wc is guided downward along the bag-forming tube 2. As it passes through the former 4, both side edges of the tubular packaging material Wc are overlapped with each other in a predetermined shape, for example, a lapped portion L, forming a seam. The packaging machine 1 is also equipped with a packaging material feeding device. The packaging material feeding device has a pair of packaging material feeders 10.

[0018] The packaging material feeders 10 are disposed below the formers 4 on both sides of the outer periphery of the bag-forming tube 2. Each packaging material feeder 10 has an endless suction belt 12, and the tubular packaging material Wc is attracted to the suction belts 12. In this attracted state, the suction belts 12 run in one direction, causing the tubular packaging material Wc to be fed downward along the bag-forming tube 2.

[0019] An openable and closable vertical sealer 14 is disposed near the bag-forming tube 2. The vertical sealer 14 is disposed between a pair of packaging material feeders 10 in the circumferential direction of the bag-forming tube 2, and heat-seals the wrap portion L of the tubular packaging material Wc, bonding both side edges together to form a vertically sealed portion Sv in the bag P. As a result, after passing through the vertical sealer 14, both side edges of the tubular packaging material Wc are completely closed.

[0020] An openable and closable horizontal sealer 16 is disposed below the bag-forming tube 2. The horizontal sealer 16 has a pair of heater blocks 16a, 16b. Each of the heater blocks 16a, 16b has a built-in heater 18. The heater blocks 16a, 16b extend horizontally, which is the direction across the tubular packaging material Wc, and move toward and away from each other in the radial direction of the bag-forming tube 2 within the horizontal plane. This allows the horizontal sealer 16 to open and close.

[0021] The heater blocks 16a, 16b sandwich the tubular packaging material Wc from the front and rear as the horizontal sealer 16 closes, thereby forming horizontal seals Sh in the tubular packaging material Wc. One of the heater blocks 16a, 16b, the heater block 16a, holds a knife 20 for cutting the packaging material. The other of the heater blocks 16a, 16b, the heater block 16b, has a blade receiving groove 21 formed in it to receive the knife 20. As the horizontal sealer 16 closes, the knife 20 slides horizontally toward the blade receiving groove 21, pushing and cutting the horizontal seals Sh.

[0022] The series of operations of the packaging machine 1 configured as described above is described below. The packaging machine 1 forms the low-stretch packaging material W, which has been guided along the former 4, into a tubular packaging material Wc on the outer surface 2a of the bag-forming tube 2. As the tubular packaging material Wc is fed in the longitudinal direction of the bag-forming tube 2, i.e., downward, the vertical sealer 14 forms vertical seals Sv along the longitudinal direction of the tubular packaging material Wc. Next, below the bag-forming tube 2, the horizontal sealer 16 forms horizontal seals Sh at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the tubular packaging material Wc. Meanwhile, the formation of horizontal seals Sh and the filling of the tubular packaging material Wc are alternately performed, and the knife 20 cuts the tubular packaging material Wc at the horizontal seals Sh. This produces bags P filled with the filling material.

[0023] Here, the packaging machine 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a first table 22 that supports the former 4, a clamp 24 that clamps and supports the outer circumferential surface 2a of the bag-making tube 2, and a second table 26 that supports the clamp 24. The first and second tables 22, 26 are connected via two connecting members 28 that extend in the vertical direction. In addition, a deviation prevention mechanism 30 is attached to the inclined side edge 4a of the former 4 to prevent the packaging material W from escaping.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a front view of the former 4, and Fig. 3 shows a side view of the former 4. The former 4 comprises a tubular portion 32, a pair of side guide portions 34, a back guide portion 36, and a first base portion 38. The tubular portion 32 extends upward in a cylindrical shape and has a pair of opposing peripheral edges 32a with a gap G in the circumferential direction. The pair of side guide portions 34 are formed into a collar shape by folding back each peripheral edge 32a of the tubular portion 32 radially outward of the tubular portion 32.

[0025] The rear guide portion 36 is formed by connecting the upper portions of the side guide portions 34 in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 32. The first base portion 38 is formed at the lower end of the tubular portion 32, extends in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 32, and is connected to the first table 22. The tubular portion 32 has cutout portions 32b formed by cutting out the peripheral wall on the radially opposite side of each peripheral edge 32a. The packaging material W is passed through the cutout portions 32b into the tubular portion 32, and then passed through the gaps G between the peripheral edges 32a and set along the surfaces of the side guide portions 34 and the rear guide portion 36.

[0026] The formation of the cutout 32b makes it possible to easily set even a packaging material W that is difficult to stretch on the former 4. As shown in Fig. 3, the rear guide portion 36 is inclined obliquely upward at a predetermined inclination angle α with respect to the horizontal direction indicated by the dashed dotted line, and the inclination angle α is, for example, 15°. Note that the rear guide portion of a former in a packaging machine that produces bags from conventional film packaging materials is inclined obliquely downward at a predetermined inclination angle β with respect to the horizontal direction, as indicated by the dashed dotted line in Fig. 3.

[0027] In this embodiment, by forming the rear guide portion 36 with an inclination angle α diagonally upward, the packaging material W moves at a gentle angle from the rear guide portion 36 and each side guide portion 34 to the tubular portion 32. This makes it difficult for wrinkles to form in the packaging material W traveling through the former 4, even if the packaging material W is difficult to stretch, and also makes it possible to prevent the packaging material W from meandering due to wrinkles that form in the packaging material W.

[0028] Meanwhile, the packaging material W set in the former 4 runs along the surfaces of the back guide 36 and each of the side guides 34, passes through the gaps G between the peripheral side edges 32a of the tubular portion 32, and then surrounds the outer surface 2a of the bag-forming tube 2, thereby being formed into a tubular packaging material Wc. At the same time, the opposite side edges of the packaging material W are overlapped with each other at positions facing the peripheral side edges 32a of the tubular portion 32, thereby forming the aforementioned lap portion L.

[0029] 4 shows a perspective view of the bag-forming tube 2 and the former 4. The packaging machine 1 is equipped with a pair of back-stretching guide members 40 that guide both side edges of the packaging material W to form the wrap portion L, and a guide position adjustment mechanism 42 that adjusts the position of each back-stretching guide member 40. Each back-stretching guide member 40 is positioned opposite each peripheral side edge 32a of the tubular portion 32. The guide position adjustment mechanism 42 is provided on the first table 22.

[0030] 5 shows a front view of each back support guide member 40 and the guide position adjustment mechanism 42. The guide position adjustment mechanism 42 raises and lowers each back support guide member 40 to independently adjust the vertical position of each back support guide member 40, and also slides each back support guide member 40 horizontally to adjust the separation distance D between each back support guide member 40. The guide position adjustment mechanism 42 can adjust the separation distance D between each back support guide member 40 independently of adjusting the vertical position of each back support guide member 40. By adjusting the separation distance D between each back support guide member 40, the gap G between each peripheral side edge 32a of the tubular portion 32 is essentially adjusted.

[0031] More specifically, each back support guide member 40 is a plate extending in the vertical direction at a position facing each peripheral edge 32a of the cylindrical portion 32. The guide position adjustment mechanism 42 includes an adjustment plate 44, a first bolt insertion hole 46, a first bolt 48, and a positioning nut 50 for each back support guide member 40. Each adjustment plate 44 is connected to each back support guide member 40 by welding or the like, and extends along the first table 22. Note that each adjustment plate 44 may be formed integrally with each back support guide member 40.

[0032] Two first bolt insertion holes 46 are formed in each adjustment plate 44. Four first bolts 48 are provided, each erected on the first table 22, and inserted into each of the first bolt insertion holes 46. More specifically, each first bolt 48 is screwed into the underside of the first table 22 and fixed to the first table 22 by a fixing nut 52. A cap nut 49 is threaded onto the upper end of each first bolt 48.

[0033] Four sets of positioning nuts 50 are provided at positions that sandwich the first table 22 from above and below, and are screwed onto the first bolts 48, respectively, at positions that sandwich each adjustment plate 44. Here, each first bolt insertion hole 46 is formed as an elongated hole with the horizontal direction as the longitudinal direction in the adjustment plate 44. This allows the guide position adjustment mechanism 42 to independently adjust the vertical position of each back support guide member 40, and to adjust the separation distance D between each back support guide member 40 independently of adjusting the vertical position of each back support guide member 40.

[0034] Specifically, the guide position adjustment mechanism 42 allows the adjusting plate 44 and the guide member 40 to move up and down together between the positioning nuts 50 by releasing the clamping of the adjusting plate 44 by the positioning nuts 50 in each of the back support guide members 40. Also, the guide position adjustment mechanism 42 allows the adjusting plate 44 and the guide member 40 to slide together in the horizontal direction in the first bolt insertion hole 46 by releasing the clamping of the adjusting plate 44 by the positioning nuts 50 in each of the back support guide members 40.

[0035] Figure 6 shows a front view of the bag-formed tube 2 and former 4 with packaging material W set therein. Figure 7 shows a front view of the bag-formed tube 2 and former 4 after adjustment by the guide position adjustment mechanism 42. As seen in Figure 6, the packaging material W has lifted up near the boundary between the side guide section 34 and the rear guide section 36 on the right side of the former 4, which could cause the packaging material W to meander. In this case, as shown in Figure 7, the two upper positioning nuts 50 on the right side as seen in Figure 7, i.e., the side where the packaging material W has lifted up, are screwed upward to release the positioning nuts 50 from clamping the adjustment plate 44.

[0036] Next, the adjusting plate 44 and the back tension guide member 40 are slid together horizontally as needed in the first bolt insertion holes 46 on the right side as viewed in Figure 7. Next, the two upper positioning nuts 50 are threaded upward, and the adjusting plate 44 is moved upward along the first bolts 48. The adjusting plate 44 is then clamped again by the positioning nuts 50, and the adjusting plate 44 and the back tension guide member 40 are positioned. As a result, as shown in Figure 7, the right-side back tension guide member 40 is positioned higher than the left-side back tension guide member 40, and the packaging material W is prevented from floating up.

[0037] 8 shows a side view of the deviation prevention mechanism 30. The deviation prevention mechanism 30 includes a clip 54, three second bolts 56, and a prevention plate 58. The clip 54 has a U-shaped cross section and is fitted into the inclined side edges 4a of the former 4. The inclined side edges 4a are side edges that are formed at an angle continuously on both radial sides of the cylindrical portion 32 in each of the side guide portions 34 and rear guide portion 36 of the former 4.

[0038] The clip 54 is also formed with three bolt holes 60. The second bolts 56 are threaded into the bolt holes 60, respectively. The restricting plate 58 is interposed between the tip of each second bolt 56 and the inclined side edge 4a. The deviation restricting mechanism 30 clamps the inclined side edge 4a between the inner surface 54a of the clip 54 and the restricting plate 58, which is pressed by the tip of each second bolt 56.

[0039] The side edge of the packaging material W comes into contact with the restricting plate 58, thereby restricting the packaging material W from departing from the inclined side edge 4a. Meanwhile, by unscrewing each second bolt 56, the clamping of the clip 54 and the restricting plate 58 against the inclined side edge 4a is released, allowing the clip 54 to slide along the inclined side edge 4a. This makes it possible to move the deviation restricting mechanism 30 to a desired location on the inclined side edge 4a.

[0040] 9 shows a perspective view of the first base 38 of the tubular portion 32 of the former 4 as seen from the rear side of FIG. 4. The packaging machine 1 is equipped with a former tilt adjustment mechanism 62 that connects the first base 38 to the first table 22 and adjusts the tilt of the former 4 relative to the up-down direction. Four former tilt adjustment mechanisms 62 are provided around the circumference of the first base 38. In addition, a plurality of protrusions 64 are formed on the outer periphery of the first base 38, and marking lines 66 are formed on the upper surface of the first table 22 at locations corresponding to the positions of the protrusions 64.

[0041] The scribe line 66 may be a mark drawn on the upper surface of the first table 22, or may be a long groove machined into the upper surface of the first table 22. The protrusion 64 and the scribe line 66 serve as guides for properly assembling the former 4 to the first table 22, and the former 4 is assembled by positioning it so that the protrusion 64 coincides with the scribe line 66. This allows the former 4 to be assembled easily and accurately, improving the assembly of the packaging machine 1.

[0042] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the former inclination adjustment mechanism 62 as seen from the front. The former inclination adjustment mechanism 62 adjusts the inclination of the former 4 using a so-called push-pull bolt mechanism consisting of a first pressing bolt 68 and a first pulling bolt 70. The first pressing bolt 68 is threadedly engaged with the first base 38 and has its tip abutting against the first table 22. A nut 72 is threadedly engaged with the first pressing bolt 68 to position the first pressing bolt 68. As shown in FIG. 9, each former inclination adjustment mechanism 62 includes one or two first pressing bolts 68.

[0043] The first tension bolt 70 is inserted into a second bolt insertion hole 74 formed in the first base 38 and is screwed into the first table 22. In the state shown in Fig. 10, by threading the first tension bolt 70 out of the first table 22, the tilt of the former 4 can be adjusted via the first base 38. Next, with the tip of each first pressing bolt 68 abutting against the first table 22, the first pressing bolt 68 is threaded forward or backward relative to the first base 38, thereby adjusting the tilt of the former 4 via the first base 38.

[0044] After adjusting the inclination of the former 4, the first pulling bolt 70 is threaded toward the first table 22 until the head of the first pulling bolt 70 abuts against the first base 38. Furthermore, the nuts 72 of each first pressing bolt 68 are threaded toward the first base 38 until they abut against the first base 38, thereby positioning each first pressing bolt 68 relative to the first base 38. This fixes the former 4 at the desired inclination relative to the first table 22.

[0045] 11 shows a perspective view of the clamp 24 and the second table 26. Four second bases 76 are formed at the lower end of the clamp 24 and protrude outward in the radial direction of the bag-formed tube 2. The clamp 24 is connected to the second table 26 at each of the second bases 76. The packaging machine 1 connects the second bases 76 to the second table 26 and is equipped with a tube inclination adjustment mechanism 78 that adjusts the inclination of the bag-formed tube 2 relative to the up-down direction. A tube inclination adjustment mechanism 78 is provided for each of the second bases 76.

[0046] Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the tube inclination adjustment mechanism 78 as viewed from the front. The tube inclination adjustment mechanism 78 adjusts the inclination of the bag-made tube 2 using a push-pull bolt mechanism similar to the previously described former inclination adjustment mechanism 62, which uses a second push bolt 80 and a second pull bolt 82. The second push bolt 80 is threadedly engaged with the second base 76, and its tip abuts against the second table 26. A nut 84 is threadedly engaged with the second push bolt 80 to position the second push bolt 80. As shown in Figure 11, each tube inclination adjustment mechanism 78 includes two second push bolts 80.

[0047] The second tension bolt 82 is inserted through a third bolt insertion hole 86 formed in the second base 76 and is screwed into the second table 26. In the state shown in Figure 12, by threading the second tension bolt 82 out of the second table 26, it is possible to adjust the inclination of the bag-formed tube 2 via the second base 76. Next, with the tip of each second pressing bolt 80 abutting the second table 26, the second pressing bolt 80 is threaded forward or backward relative to the second base 76, thereby adjusting the inclination of the bag-formed tube 2 via the second base 76.

[0048] After adjusting the inclination of the bag-made tube 2, the second pull bolt 82 is threaded toward the second table 26 until the head of the second pull bolt 82 abuts against the second base 76. Furthermore, the nuts 84 of each second pressing bolt 80 are threaded toward the second base 76 until they abut against the second base 76, thereby positioning each second pressing bolt 80 relative to the second base 76. This fixes the bag-made tube 2 at the desired inclination relative to the second table 26.

[0049] As described above, the vertical form fill and seal packaging machine 1 of the embodiment is equipped with mechanisms that enable various adjustments, thereby preventing problems with the packaging material W, particularly meandering travel, that result from using a packaging material W that is difficult to stretch, and improving the productivity of the bags P while ensuring the quality of the bags P. Specifically, the packaging machine 1 is equipped with a pair of back tension guide members 40 and a guide position adjustment mechanism 42, and each back tension guide member 40 guides both side edges of the packaging material W at positions facing each peripheral side edge 32a of the tubular portion 32 of the former 4 to form a wrap portion L in the bag P.

[0050] The guide position adjustment mechanism 42 is provided on the first table 22 of the former 4 and raises and lowers each back support guide member 40 to independently adjust the vertical position of each back support guide member 40, and also slides each back support guide member 40 horizontally independently of the vertical position adjustment to adjust the separation distance D between each back support guide member 40. Because the guide position adjustment mechanism 42 can independently adjust the vertical position and separation distance D of each back support guide member 40, it can compensate for differences in the length of the packaging material W on both sides in the width direction and the paths of the portions of the former 4 corresponding to both sides of the packaging material W. This effectively prevents the packaging material W from meandering due to, for example, the packaging material W lifting up on the former 4.

[0051] More specifically, the guide position adjustment mechanism 42 has an adjustment plate 44, a first bolt insertion hole 46, a first bolt 48, and a positioning nut 50 for each of the back support guide members 40, and the first bolt insertion hole 46 is an elongated hole whose longitudinal direction is the horizontal direction in the adjustment plate 44. This makes it possible to easily adjust the vertical position and the separation distance D of each back support guide member 40 independently using a simple mechanism.

[0052] More specifically, in each of the back tension guide members 40, by releasing the clamping of the adjustment plate 44 by the positioning nuts 50, the adjustment plate 44 and the back tension guide member 40 are allowed to move up and down together between the positioning nuts 50. Furthermore, the first bolt insertion hole 46 allows the adjustment plate 44 and the back tension guide member 40 to slide together in the horizontal direction.

[0053] The packaging machine 1 also includes a deviation prevention mechanism 30 that is attached to at least one of the inclined side edges 4a of each of the side guide portions 34 and the back guide portion 36 of the former 4 and that prevents the side edges of the packaging material W from deviating from the inclined side edges 4a. This makes it possible to prevent the packaging material W from meandering due to deviation of the packaging material W from the former 4.

[0054] More specifically, the deviation prevention mechanism 30 has a clip 54, a bolt hole 60, a second bolt 56, and a restriction plate 58, and deviation of the packaging material W from the inclined side edge 4a is prevented by the side edge of the packaging material W coming into contact with the restriction plate 58. This makes it possible to easily prevent deviation of the packaging material W using a simple mechanism.

[0055] On the other hand, by unscrewing each second bolt 56, the clamping between the clip 54 and the restricting plate 58 and the inclined side edge 4a is released, and the clip 54 is allowed to slide along the inclined side edge 4a. This makes it possible to adjust the restricting position of the packaging material W while it is traveling, and to easily and quickly set the deviation restricting mechanism 30 to a position that corresponds to the individual state of the packaging material W, the state of the former 4, etc.

[0056] The packaging machine 1 also includes a former tilt adjustment mechanism 62 that connects the first base 38 of the former 4 to the first table 22 and adjusts the tilt of the former 4 relative to the vertical direction. This makes it easy to adjust the tilt of the former 4, improving the assembly of the packaging machine 1 and preventing the packaging material W from meandering due to the tilt of the former 4.

[0057] In more detail, the former inclination adjustment mechanism 62 has a first pressing bolt 68, a second bolt insertion hole 74, and a first pulling bolt 70, and by threading the first pulling bolt 70 out of the first table 22, the inclination of the former 4 can be adjusted via the first base 38. Furthermore, by threading the first pressing bolt 68 forward or backward relative to the first base 38 while the tip of the first pressing bolt 68 is in contact with the first table 22, the inclination of the former 4 can be adjusted via the first base 38. This makes it possible to easily adjust the inclination of the former 4 with a simple mechanism.

[0058] The packaging machine 1 also includes a tube tilt adjustment mechanism 78 that connects the second base 76 of the clamp 24 to the second table 26 and adjusts the vertical tilt of the bag-formed tube 2. This makes it easy to adjust the tilt of the bag-formed tube 2, improving the assembly of the packaging machine 1 and preventing the packaging material W from meandering due to the tilt of the bag-formed tube 2.

[0059] More specifically, the tube inclination adjustment mechanism 78 has a second pressing bolt 80, a third bolt insertion hole 86, and a second pulling bolt 82, and by threading the second pulling bolt 82 out of the second table 26, the inclination of the bag-formed tube 2 can be adjusted via the second base 76. Furthermore, by threading the second pressing bolt 80 forward or backward relative to the second base 76 while the tip of the second pressing bolt 80 is in contact with the second table 26, the inclination of the bag-formed tube 2 can be adjusted via the second base 76. This makes it possible to easily adjust the inclination of the bag-formed tube 2 with a simple mechanism.

[0060] This concludes the description of the embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the packaging machine 1 can be used to manufacture bags P using a packaging material that is difficult to stretch other than paper packaging material. In addition, in the guide position adjustment mechanism 42, two first bolt insertion holes 46 are formed in each adjustment plate 44, four first bolts 48 are provided, and four sets of positioning nuts 50 are provided at positions that sandwich the first table 22 from above and below, but these numbers can be changed.

[0061] Furthermore, in the deviation prevention mechanism 30, three bolt holes 60 are formed in the clip 54 and three second bolts 56 are provided, but these numbers can be changed. Furthermore, multiple deviation prevention mechanisms 30 may be attached to the inclined side edge 4a, or one may be attached to each of the inclined side edges 4a on both sides of the former 4.

[0062] Furthermore, the former inclination adjustment mechanism 62 only needs to have at least one first pressing bolt 68 and one first pulling bolt 70. The number of former inclination adjustment mechanisms 62 provided on the first base 38 can be changed. The tube inclination adjustment mechanism 78 only needs to have at least one second pressing bolt 80 and one second pulling bolt 82. The number of tube inclination adjustment mechanisms 78 provided on the second base 76 can be changed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 Vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine 2. Bag-making tube 2a Outer surface 4 Forma 4a Slanted side edge 22 Table 1 24 Clamp 26 Table 2 30 Deviation Control Mechanism 32 Cylindrical part 32a Circumferential edge 34 Side guide part 36 Rear guide part 38 1st base 40 Back support guide member 42 Guide position adjustment mechanism 44 Adjustment Plate 46 First bolt insertion hole 48 First Bolt 50 Positioning nut 54 clips 58 Regulatory Plate 60 bolt holes 62 Former tilt adjustment mechanism 68 First pressing bolt 70 First tension bolt 74 Second bolt insertion hole 76 Second base 78 Tube tilt adjustment mechanism 80 Second pressing bolt 82 Second tension bolt 86 Third bolt insertion hole D Separation distance G Gap L Wrap P bag Sv Vertical seal Sh Horizontal seal part W packaging material Wc cylindrical packaging material

Claims

1. A vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine that forms a difficult-to-stretch packaging material guided along a former into a tubular packaging material on the outer peripheral surface of a bag-forming tube, forms vertical seals along the longitudinal direction of the tubular packaging material while feeding the tubular packaging material in the longitudinal direction of the bag-forming tube, and forms horizontal seals below the bag-forming tube at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the tubular packaging material, while alternately forming the horizontal seals and filling the tubular packaging material with a filler material, thereby producing bags filled with the filler material, a first table for supporting the former; The former is a cylindrical portion having a pair of peripheral side edges opposed to each other in a circumferential direction; a pair of side guide portions formed in a collar shape by folding back the respective peripheral side edges of the cylindrical portion radially outward; a rear guide portion formed by connecting upper portions of the side guide portions in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion; a first base portion formed at a lower end of the cylindrical portion, extending in the circumferential direction, and connected to the first table; and The packaging material travels along the back guide portion and the side guide portions, passes through the gaps between the peripheral edges of the tubular portion, and then surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the bag-making tube to be formed into the tubular packaging material. At the same time, lap portions are formed by overlapping both side edges of the packaging material with each other at opposing positions between the peripheral edges of the tubular portion. a pair of back guide members that guide the side edges of the packaging material at positions facing the respective peripheral side edges of the tubular portion to form the wrap portion; a guide position adjustment mechanism that is provided on the first table, raises and lowers each of the back support guide members, adjusts the vertical position of each of the back support guide members independently, and slides each of the back support guide members individually in the horizontal direction independently of the vertical position adjustment, thereby adjusting the separation distance between each of the back support guide members; A vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine.

2. The guide position adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the position of each of the back support guide members. an adjustment plate connected to the back support guide member and extending horizontally; a first bolt insertion hole formed in the adjustment plate; a first bolt that is erected on the first table and that is inserted into the first bolt insertion hole; positioning nuts that are screwed onto the first bolts at positions that sandwich the adjustment plate; and 2. The vertical form-fill-fill-seal packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the first bolt insertion hole is an elongated hole whose longitudinal direction is the horizontal direction in the adjustment plate.

3. 3. The vertical form-fill-fill-seal packaging machine according to claim 2, wherein the guide position adjustment mechanism allows the adjustment plate and the back support guide member to move up and down together between the positioning nuts by releasing the clamping of the adjustment plate by the positioning nuts in each of the back support guide members, and allows the adjustment plate and the back support guide member to slide together in the horizontal direction in the first bolt insertion hole.

4. Each of the side guide portions and the rear guide portion has an inclined side edge that is continuously inclined on both sides in the radial direction, 4. The vertical form-fill-fill-seal packaging machine according to claim 1, further comprising a deviation prevention mechanism attached to at least one of the two inclined side edges and configured to prevent the side edge of the packaging material from deviating from the inclined side edge.

5. The deviation control mechanism is a U-shaped clip that is fitted onto the inclined side edge; a bolt hole formed in the clip; a second bolt that is threaded into the bolt hole; a regulating plate interposed between the tip of the second bolt and the inclined side edge; The vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine according to claim 4, further comprising:

6. 6. The vertical form-fill-fill-seal packaging machine according to claim 5, wherein the deviation prevention mechanism prevents the side edge of the packaging material from deviating from the inclined side edge by clamping the inclined side edge between an inner surface of the clip and the restriction plate that is pressed by the tip of the second bolt, while screwing back the second bolt releases the clamping of the inclined side edge between the clip and the restriction plate, allowing the clip to slide along the inclined side edge.

7. 7. The vertical form-fill-fill-seal packaging machine according to claim 1, further comprising a former tilt adjustment mechanism that connects the first base to the first table and adjusts the tilt of the former relative to the up-down direction.

8. The former tilt adjustment mechanism includes: a first pressing bolt that is screwed into the first base portion and has a tip that abuts against the first table; a second bolt insertion hole formed in the first base portion; a first tension bolt that is inserted into the second bolt insertion hole and is screwed into the first table; The vertical form-fill-fill-seal packaging machine according to claim 7, further comprising:

9. 9. The vertical form-fill-fill-seal packaging machine according to claim 8, wherein the former tilt adjustment mechanism enables adjustment of the tilt of the former via the first base by screwing the first pull bolt back from the first table, and adjusts the tilt of the former via the first base by screwing the first push bolt forward or backward relative to the first base with the tip of the first push bolt abutting the first table.

10. a clamp that clamps and supports the outer peripheral surface of the bag-making tube; a second table supporting the clamp; a second base portion formed at a lower end of the clamp and connected to the second table; a tube tilt adjustment mechanism that connects the second base to the second table and adjusts the tilt of the bag-making tube in the up-down direction; The vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising:

11. The tube tilt adjustment mechanism includes: a second pressing bolt that is screwed into the second base portion and has a tip that abuts against the second table; a third bolt insertion hole formed in the second base portion; a second tension bolt that is inserted into the third bolt insertion hole and screwed into the second table; The vertical form-fill-fill-seal packaging machine according to claim 10,

12. 12. The vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine of claim 11, wherein the tube inclination adjustment mechanism enables adjustment of the inclination of the bag-formed tube via the second base by screwing the second pull bolt back from the second table, and adjusts the inclination of the bag-formed tube via the second base by screwing the second push bolt forward or backward relative to the second base while the tip of the second push bolt is in contact with the second table.

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